Grip on Sports: On another National Donut Day, we contemplate the many uses the little guys have in our sports landscape

A GRIP ON SPORTS • It is another of those days. You know what I mean, one of those “National (fill in the blank) Day.” It is the most important one. National Donut Day. We have thought long and hard and have other uses for those magic pastries, all in the realm of sports.

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• We’ll start with Washington State’s athletic department’s budget deficit.

The school’s Regents are being told today it is growing faster than thought, mainly because the debt associated with capital projects is being included. Last year the department expected to be in debt to the tune of $83 million by 2023, when the losses are expected to stop.

Now the number is $103 million.

That’s a lot of money. But it’s not insurmountable. After all, the school believes selling alcohol at football games would help soak up some of the deficit. It’s just the State Liquor Control Board won’t give its approval. Well, switch gears.

One of the biggest deficits in Pullman is in the way of donuts. It is the only college town I’ve ever been in that doesn’t have a wildly successful donut shop.

Maybe the athletic department should start its own.

Ferdinand’s is successful, right, and it’s just an ice cream parlor? A donut shop across the street from Beasley would make millions, especially if it was open all night. With a drive through.

Heck, make a couple accountants man the fryers between midnight and 4 a.m. every day. Earn their keep. Help with the deficit. They have to have some free time.

• The Mariners lost again yesterday. What else is new? Oh, it took 14 innings. That’s different.

But between now and October, we all know Seattle is going to lose at least another 60 games. Maybe even 70. That’s a lot of woe and heartache.

Usually fans drown their sorrows in $12 beers. Let’s change that. How about a donut shop every 25 feet with every penny in profit going toward paying Daniel Vogelbach’s salary?

Sure, obesity rates may rise. But it’s a small price to pay to ensure the most exciting hitter in the lineup stays in the Seattle lineup. And it seems a perfect fit, considering Vogelbach’s build. He’s certainly sampled a donut or two in his career, and we’re not talking about the ones you put on the end of a bat.

• Hoopfest is coming up. The organizers and the City of Spokane have been working on a plan to have the City pick up some of the security costs. But both have tight budgets. How to pay for it?

Simple. A donut kiosk on every corner. The profits earmarked toward paying the cops we need to keep us safe during the event. It’s a win/win, even without the way-too-easy jokes one could make.

Besides, what says bad basketball more than a donut? It’s a perfect circle, like a rim. Or a zero, which always dominated my stat line when I was a Hoopfest regular.

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WSU: I’ve had the same question every since the Cougars’ athletic budget deficit began to grow to multi-million dollar proportions. How will the now-projected $103 million ever be paid back to the university? The powers that be in Pullman continue to say it will. But even if the athletic department does turn a corner and begins building a surplus, how big will it ever be considering the demands of being a Pac-12 program? Say it is $2 million, above and beyond what’s needed to recharge the department’s surplus. You think that’s going to continue for the 52 years needed to pay off the debt, even if there is no demand for interest? There is no chance. Sooner or later, the school will have to either write off the debt or it will sit there forever like an unsightly wart, maybe not growing, but never really going away either. By the way, the new budget deficit projection is covered in this Shawn Vestal column. … Elsewhere in the Pac-12, the coaches of Washington’s two biggest sports seem to be getting along well. … In football news, Jon Wilner has a radical suggestion concerning kickoff times. My donut shop idea would fit right in. … USC is not losing one of its quarterbacks after all. … Colorado is not that far away from its first season under Mel Tucker’s guidance. … In basketball, Oregon State’s Wayne Tinkle sees NCAA basketball turning into more like junior college hoops everyday. … Former Arizona assistant Book Richardson is headed to jail. … Oregon State is in a pickle with its baseball program. … UCLA coach John Savage is not a fan of the timing of baseball’s draft.

Gonzaga: We shared our thoughts on the latest NCAA basketball rule change. Jim Meehan actually talked with someone who has a vested interest, Gonzaga assistant Tommy Lloyd, about it. … Jim also talked with Larry Weir yesterday for the latest Press Box pod. … Expect the Zags to enter next basketball season with lofty rankings – and expectations.

Idaho: Our Peter Harriman (fixed from earlier) has a redacted version of the report concerning the Vandals’ alleged NCAA violations in the basketball program. None of the three cited seem to be program killers by themselves, but they do add up to some lack of vigilance by the staff. Of such things sanctions are born. … The new basketball arena is closer to reality. Peter also has a story on yesterday’s groundbreaking.

Golf: The Lilac Invitational began yesterday. Jim has a summary of the first day’s scores. … Seattle is trying to decide what to do with its four public golf courses.

Preps: There is a 3-on-3 tournament this weekend that features more than basketball. Ryan Collingwood has a story on the more part.

Mariners: It took 14 innings for the M’s to lose 8-7 yesterday to the Astros. Bottom line: they lost again. … Braden Bishop has been hospitalized. … Mike Leake trade rumors abound. … Gene Warnick has his Out of Right Field recap.

Seahawks: The Hawks are sure they are set at kicker. Of course, the guy they are set on they cut a year ago. … Rashaad Penny has turned to a retired player for help. So has Shaquill Griffin. … There are no more open OTAs to watch.

Sounders: Seattle’s fast start has settled into a walk recently.

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• My favorite “Simpsons” episode? “Monorail.” Leonard Nimoy was the guest voice. And a big old donut was the hero, leading Homer Simpson to utter, “Donuts. Is there anything they can’t do?” No truer words have ever been spoken. Until later …